Health Economics Commons^™

A New Cost-Benefit And Rate Of Return Analysis For The Perry Preschool Program: A Summary, James Heckman, Seong Moon, Rodrigo Pinto, Peter A. Savelyev

Peter Savelyev

Childhood Programs and Practices in the First Decade of Life presents research findings on the effects of early childhood programs and practices in the first decade of life and their implications for policy development and reform. Leading scholars in the multidisciplinary field of human development and in early childhood learning discuss the effects and cost-effectiveness of the most influential model, state, and federally funded programs, policies, and practices. These include Head Start, Early Head Start, the WIC nutrition program, Nurse Family Partnership, and Perry Preschool as well as school reform strategies. This volume provides a unique multidisciplinary approach to understanding …

A Study Of The Effects Of Certificate Of Need Law On Inpatient Occupancy Rates, Jomon Aliyas Paul, Huan Ni, Aniruddha Bagchi

Aniruddha Bagchi

Do Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Addictions And Deaths Related To Pain Killers?, David Powell, Rosalie Pacula, Mireille Jacobson

David Powell

Imperfect Synthetic Controls: Did The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Save Lives?, David Powell

David Powell

Actavis And Error Costs: A Reply To Critics, Aaron S. Edlin, C. Scott Hemphill, Herbert J. Hovenkamp, Carl Shapiro

Aaron Edlin

The Supreme Court’s opinion in Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, Inc. provided fundamental guidance about how courts should handle antitrust challenges to reverse payment patent settlements. In our previous article, Activating Actavis, we identified and operationalized the essential features of the Court’s analysis. Our analysis has been challenged by four economists, who argue that our approach might condemn procompetitive settlements.As we explain in this reply, such settlements are feasible, however, only under special circumstances. Moreover, even where feasible, the parties would not actually choose such a settlement in equilibrium. These considerations, and others discussed in the reply, serve to confirm …

Recurrent Clostridium Difficile Infection Among Medicare Patients In Nursing Homes: A Population-Based Cohort Study, Marya D. Zilberberg, Andrew F. Shorr, William M. Jesdale, Jennifer Tjia, Kate L. Lapane

Jennifer Tjia

We explored the epidemiology and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) recurrence among Medicare patients in a nursing home (NH) whose CDI originated in acute care hospitals. We conducted a retrospective, population-based matched cohort combining Medicare claims with Minimum Data Set 3.0, including all hospitalized patients age > /=65 years transferred to an NH after hospitalization with CDI 1/2011-11/2012. Incident CDI was defined as ICD-9-CM code 008.45 with no others in prior 60 days. CDI recurrence was defined as (within 60 days of last day of CDI treatment): oral metronidazole, oral vancomycin, or fidaxomicin for > /=3 days in part D file; …

Crop Residues: The Rest Of The Story, Douglas L. Karlen, Rattan Lal, Ronald F. Follett, John M. Kimble, Jerry L. Hatfield, John A. Miranowski, Cynthia A. Cambardella, Andrew Manale, Robert P. Anex, Charles W. Rice

Douglas L Karlen

Synopsis In the February 15, 2009 issue of ES&T Strand and Benford argued that oceanic deposition of agricultural crop residues was a viable option for net carbon sequestration (43 [4], 1000−1007). In reviewing the calculations and bringing their experience to bear, Karlen et al. argue in this Viewpoint that crop residue oceanic permanent sequestration (CROPS) as envisioned by Strand and Benford will not work. They further propose alternative possibilities in agricultural methods to achieve a net decrease of CO2 emissions.

The Finney County, Kansas Community Assessment Process: Fact Book, Debra J. Bolton Phd, Shannon L. Dick M.S.

Dr. Debra Bolton

This multi-lingual/multi-cultural study was called, Community Assets Processt, by the groups that “commissioned” it: Finnup Foundation, Finney County K-State Research & Extension, Western Kansas Community Foundation, Finney County United Way, Finney County Health Department, United Methodist Community Health Center (UMMAM), Center for Children and Families, Garden City Recreation Commission, and the Garden City Cultural Relations Board, because we intend for this to be an ongoing discussion. An objective, for those promoting the study, was to connect foundation, state, and federal funding with activities or services that addressed the true needs of people living in Finney County. The group was looking …

Supply-Side Drug Policy In The Presence Of Substitutes: Evidence From The Introduction Of Abuse-Deterrent Opioids, Abby Alpert, David Powell, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula

David Powell

Fertility And Female Labor Force Participation: The Role Of Legal Access To Contraceptives, Chaney Skadsen

Chaney Skadsen

No abstract provided.

Estimating The Effects Of Nutrition Label Use On Canadian Consumer Diet-Health Concerns Using Propensity Score Matching, Sven Anders, Christiane Schroeter

Christiane Schroeter

Effects Of The Affordable Care Act On Part-Time Employment: Early Evidence, Marcus Dillender, Carolyn Heinrich, Susan Houseman (Corresponding Author)

Susan N. Houseman

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers with at least 50 full-time-equivalent employees to offer “affordable” health insurance to employees working 30 or more hours per week. If employers do not comply with the mandate, they may face substantial financial penalties. Employers can potentially circumvent the mandate by reducing weekly hours below the 30-hour threshold or by using other nonstandard employment arrangements (direct-hire temporaries, agency temporaries, small contractors, and independent contractors). We examine the effects of the ACA on short-hours, part-time employment. Using monthly CPS data, we estimate that the ACA resulted in an increase in low-hours, involuntary part-time employment …

Intermediate Input Sharing In The Hospital Service Industry, Jing Li

Jing LI

This paper addresses two related questions that help to explain geographic variation in access to medical services. The first question examines the existence of agglomeration economies in the hospital service industry. The second considers whether the sharing of intermediate inputs contributes to spillovers from spatial concentration of hospital services. These questions are addressed by estimating a bivariate probit model that explicitly controls for potential correlations between whether a service is provided and how the service is provided. Three key findings are obtained. First, hospitals in more concentrated areas are more likely to outsource intermediate services to specialized intermediate service suppliers. …

The Influence Of State Policy And Proximity To Medical Services On Health Outcomes, Jing Li

Jing LI

This paper examines two factors that help to explain geographic variation in health outcomes. The first factor concerns proximity to medical services. The second factor is state-specific health care policy that may impede access to nearby medical services. Four key findings are obtained. First, the effect of local doctors on reducing mortality rates of various diseases in a county attenuates with distance. Second, at approximately the same distance, in-state doctors contribute more to lowering mortality rates in the primary county than do out-of-state doctors. Third, the lesser impact of nearby out-of-state doctors is further reduced when the primary state adopts …

Does Price Affect The Demand For Information About New Health Technologies? Evidence From A Field Experiment In Nigeria, Edward Okeke, A. V. Chari, Akinfolarin Adepiti

Edward Okeke

Does A Ban On Informal Health Providers Save Lives? Evidence From Malawi, Edward Okeke, Susan Godlonton

Edward Okeke

Disentangling Moral Hazard And Adverse Selection In Private Health Insurance, David Powell, Dana Goldman

David Powell

The Effect Of Snap Benefits For Food Insecurity, David E. Davis, Rui Huang

David E. Davis

Does Retirement Impact Health Care Utilization?, Norma Coe, Gema Zamarro

Gema Zamarro

How Does Retirement Impact Health Behaviors? An International Comparison, Norma Coe, Gema Zamarro

Gema Zamarro

Tb184: Least-Cost Options For The Collection, Treatment, And Disposal Of Biomedical Waste In Maine., Andrew C. Files, Thomas G. Allen, George K. Criner

George K. Criner

This study examines the cost effectiveness of using current treatment technologies to sanitize, disinfect, shred, and dispose of biomedical waste within the state in relation to the costs of current disposal practices in Maine. The study employs a linear programming model to determine the combination of treatment facilities, transportation options, and disposal sites to treat all waste produced in Maine at the lowest statewide cost. A least-cost solution is developed for three different scenarios. The first two scenarios assume that all treated waste must be shredded in accordance with current regulatory requirements. The third scenario assumes that regulations are changed …

Saving Lives With Stem Cell Transplants, Damien Sheehan-Connor, Ted C. Bergstrom, Rodney Garratt

Ted C Bergstrom

Blood stem cell transplants can be life-saving for some patients, but the chances of finding a matching donor are small unless a large number of potential donors are evaluated. Many nations maintain large registries of potential donors who have offered to donate stem cells if they are the best available match for a patient needing a transplant. An alternative source of stem cells, umbilical cord blood, is stored in banks. Everyone faces a small probability of needing a transplant which will increase their likelihood of survival. The registries and cord blood banks are thus an interesting example of a pure …

Prices And Social Behavior: Evidence From Adult Smoking In Canadian Aboriginal Communities, Jesse A. Matheson

Jesse A Matheson

Technology Enhancement - A Full Role For The Elderly (Pdf Of The Powerpoint), Marcus R. Wigan

Marcus R Wigan

Cultural Competency: Across Cultures Between Physicians And Patients, Debbie Salas-Lopez

Debbie Salas-Lopez MD, MPH

No abstract provided.

A Culture Of One. Every Healthcare Encounter Is A Cultural Encounter, Debbie Salas-Lopez

Debbie Salas-Lopez MD, MPH

No abstract provided.

Access To Hospital Interpreter Services For Limited English Proficient Patients In New Jersey: A Statewide Evaluation, Glenn Flores, Sylvia Torres, Linda Holmes, Debbie Salas-Lopez, Mara Youdelman, Sandra Tomany-Korman

Debbie Salas-Lopez MD, MPH

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVES: We surveyed New Jersey (NJ) hospitals to assess current language services and identify policy recommendations on meeting limited English proficiency (LEP) patients' needs.

METHODS: Survey with 37 questions regarding hospital/patient features, interpreter services, and resources/policies needed to provide quality interpreter services.

RESULTS: Sixty-seven hospitals responded (55% response rate). Most NJ hospitals have no interpreter services department, 80% provide no staff training on working with interpreters, 31% lack multilingual signs, and 19% offer no written translation services. Only 3% of hospitals have full-time interpreters, a ratio of 1 interpreter:240,748 LEP NJ residents. Most hospitals stated third-party reimbursement for interpreters would …

Health Care Reform: Colorectal Cancer Screening Expansion, Before And After The Affordable Care Act (Aca), Michael Preston

Michael Preston

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. In 2014, the American Cancer Society estimated over 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer and approximately 50,000 deaths. Health care reform was introduced in 2010 and became the cornerstone for Americans seeking change in the health care system. Health care reform is a critical factor in increasing CRC screenings by increasing coverage rates for all Americans.

Health Care Reform: Colorectal Cancer Screening Expansion, Before And After The Affordable Care Act (Aca), Michael Preston

Michael Preston

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. In 2012, the American Cancer Society estimated as many as 143,460 new cases of colorectal cancer and approximately 51,690 deaths. Health care reform was introduced in 2010 and became the cornerstone for Americans seeking change in the health care system. Health care reform is a critical factor in increasing CRC screenings by increasing coverage rates for all Americans.

Effects Of Medicare Payment Reform: Evidence From The Home Health Interim And Prospective Payment Systems, Peter Huckfeldt, Neeraj Sood, Jose Escarce, David Grabowski, Joseph Newhouse

Peter J. Huckfeldt

Medicare continues to implement payment reforms that shift reimbursement from fee-for-service towards episode-based payment, affecting average and marginal reimbursement. We contrast the effects of two reforms for home health agencies. The Home Health Interim Payment System in 1997 lowered both types of reimbursement; our conceptual model predicts a decline in the likelihood of use and costs, both of which we find. The Home Health Prospective Payment System in 2000 raised average but lowered marginal reimbursement with theoretically ambiguous effects; we find a modest increase in use and costs. We find little substantive effect of either policy on readmissions or mortality.